Page 110 of This is a Kissing Book

My stomach clenches, making me regret the extra dumpling I ate.

She lets out a shaky breath. “I got this right before you called. When I was standing in front of my burned building.”

Unknown number: Your payments are late. Consider this a reminder.

My jaw clenches.

She swallows. “I think the fire has something to do with my father’s debts … not your father or whatever is going on at Meridian.” She’s quiet for a long moment, staring at the city lights.

“I’m listening,” I say softly.

She fidgets with her chopsticks. “I mentioned he struggled with gambling. That he had an accident that left him needing care. What I didn’t tell you is that his gambling problem meant he owed some very bad people a lot of money. Instead of inheriting a home like the one we visited in Washington, or anything your father plans to pass on to you, I was bequeathed over fifty thousand dollars in debt to loan sharks.”

The number hits me like a body check. Fifty thousand might as well be fifty million to someone on her salary.

“I pay every month,” she continues. “Every single month on time. But clearly the terms have changed.”

“They took everything from your neighbors, too,” I point out. “Burned down an entire building just to send you a message.”

“Not everything,” she says quietly. “They left me alive. For now.”

The casual way she says it makes my blood boil with righteous indignation on her behalf. The men in the tunnels worked for Drecken. But the fire was about her father’s debts. Two completely separate threats.

I set down the carton of food and gather her in my arms. “I’m going to keep you safe. Whatever it takes.”

She twines her fingers into mine like she’s afraid. I kiss the top of her head.

After a beat, I say, “Seems like both our fathers had shady dealings.”

“Do you really think it could be your dad?” The question I’ve been avoiding surfaces again.

“I truly don’t know. But it definitely has something to do with Maxine Drecken.”

“What do you know about her other than that she used to occupy your office?”

“Not enough. But I’m going to find out.” I flip my lucky penny absently. “Let’s play it closer to the vest for now.”

“Do you have experience with that?” she asks, looking up at me.

“I just mean I don’t want to reveal anything until I have solid evidence, then I’ll talk to him. If I approach him with any unknowns, he’ll dismiss me like⁠—”

Like he dismissed my mother’s search for the love letters.

We talk some more about Maxine Drecken and look her up online. Most of what we found is common knowledge and mentions her son working in the arts and entertainment industry. Though I can’t find specifics. Having changed the subject slightly, Jules’s appetite seems to have returned and she eats some of her pad Thai. When we’re done, the night sparkles through the windows like scattered diamonds, and I want to forget about hunting for the past and the danger that’s put us in. I want to pause the future and what could happen to Meridian or how she will respond when she finds out I play professional hockey. I want to talk about us. Here. Now.

“Jules, we kissed,” I say finally.

Her cheeks flush slightly. “We did.”

“I liked it.”

She flaps her hands a little as if nervous. “Linc, we kissed like that.”

I know exactly what she means, but play dumb.

“Huh?”

“You know.”